5 Signs Your Mazda Needs a Brake Repair

A smooth-running engine depends on the spark plugs, which in turn rely on the ignition coils. If one of your coils fouls, cracks, or malfunctions, the corresponding cylinder will no longer be able to fire properly. This misfiring robs the engine of power and can even damage your car. If you notice the following indications of a bad coil, have it repaired or replaced at your local Mazda dealer as soon as you can. Ask Your Mazda Dealership: 6 Signs of a Faulty Ignition Coil Dropping Engine Power With all cylinders firing as they should, your car will be cruising along with as much power as you need. But if one bad coil prevents a spark plug and cylinder from doing its job, your engine's power will be significantly reduced. You're likely to notice this sudden loss of power when attempting to accelerate or when driving at speed on the highway. more Coughing, Sputtering Engine When a coil begins to fail, the connected spark plug will be unable to produce the electricity required to ignite the fuel. As this spark plug misfires, the engine will cough, sputter, and shake. You may also hear strange banging sounds coming from the engine. It's best to respond quickly to signs of misfiring, as the engine and elements inside the exhaust system can rapidly become damaged. Rough Idling and Stalls Misfiring spark plugs make the ordinary smooth purr of an idling engine become rougher and louder. Your misfiring engine will clearly struggle when you pause at traffic lights and may even stall. Then, once stalled, you might find it difficult to restart with at least one coil failing to function properly. Falling Gas Mileage When a bad coil causes misfiring, the fuel injector will continue to pump fuel into the cylinder. As this fuel is no longer being converted into mechanical power, your car will be traveling less far for each gallon of fuel it consumes. You'll need to stop for gas more frequently. Black Smoke and Backfiring With a bad coil preventing the spark plug from sparking, the unburned fuel will collect inside the combustion chamber, coating the spark plug with sooty residue, thereby worsening the problem. This unburned fuel will also start to leak back into the exhaust pipes, wherein it may ignite, creating a loud bang and spewing black smoke from the tailpipe. Blinking Check Engine Light Fortunately, the check engine light will usually come to life on your dashboard as soon as one of your coils fails. It's unwise to ignore this light; head to your local dealership without delay for repairs. Got a bad coil? Visit Royal Moore Mazda in Hillsboro, OR, to have it repaired or replaced today.  For over 50 years, we've been helping out the region's drivers with excellent vehicles, competitive deals, and prompt, courteous customer care.

Brakes are the unsung heroes of your car, working hard to ensure that you stop on a dime every time you press the pedal. However, if you neglect to properly maintain your brakes, that stopping precision may one day diminish. Along with routine brake inspections at your local Mazda dealer, it's crucial to get brake repair promptly carried out at any indication of trouble. Here are five key warning signs to look out for. 5 Signs Your Mazda Needs a Brake Repair Your Brake Pads Are Squealing Brakes occasionally emit squealing sounds for various reasons. Sometimes, this noise means there's a little water on the brake pads, in which case the noise won't last. If the squealing persists, your brakes might have a rust issue. More commonly, squealing points to a worn-out brake pad, which is designed to make this noise to let you know it's time for a new pad. If you hear metallic grinding sounds, one of your pads might have lost its upper friction layer altogether, which means it's causing damage to the rotor and needs to be replaced immediately. more Your Rotor Discs Are Pulsing Most rotors are made from cast iron or even stronger materials and tend to last a very long time. However, overheating or excessive use can weaken a rotor and cause it to warp or become scored by the brake pad. If this happens, you may feel a rhythmic pulsing through the brake pedal and steering wheel as a brake pad presses against a malformed rotor. Your Calipers Are Clattering The calipers serve as the casing for each braking mechanism. If one of the pistons inside a caliper seizes or a loose bolt, pin, or stone becomes trapped in the caliper, you might hear it clattering or grinding when you brake. Your Brake Pedal Feels Spongy Any soft or spongy sensation to the brake pedal may point to leaking brake fluid. This means optimal hydraulic pressure has been lost inside one of the brake lines and your car will no longer stop as promptly. Never continue to drive if you suspect leaking brake fluid. Your Brakes Are Overheating Towing heavy trailers, descending steep mountain roads, winding through hills, and navigating busy city traffic all require continuous braking. This can sometimes cause brakes to reach enormous temperatures and overheat, which may lead to brake fade. The phenomenon of brake fade temporarily reduces the friction necessary to stop a car. If your brakes seem to suddenly weaken, pull over safely and allow them to cool down. If the problem continues when your brakes are cool, ask a trusted technician to take a look. Have Your Brakes Inspected at Your Mazda Dealer Regular brake inspection is the flip side of the brake maintenance coin. It's advisable to have your brakes inspected at your local dealer twice a year; our technicians can let you know how safe your brakes currently are to use and quickly repair or replace worn-out parts. Visit Royal Moore Mazda in Hillsboro, OR, today to have your brakes examined by experienced professionals. Our locally owned and operated dealership provides consistently high-quality customer care, whatever your automobile needs may be.

A Mazda brings a unique blend of fun and functionality to your daily drives. To keep it zooming, however, it's essential to provide it with regular oil changes. Let's break down how often you should change your oil at the Mazda dealer, and how you'll know it's time. When Should You Change Your Oil? Generally, for most newer Mazda models, changing your oil is recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles if you are using synthetic oil. However, if you are driving an older model or using conventional oil, you might need to get it changed more frequently, between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. Your driving habits and the conditions in which you use your car can affect how often you need to change your oil. If you often drive in extreme temperatures, on rough roads, or in heavy stop-and-go traffic, you'll likely have to get fresh oil more frequently. more Signs That It's Time for an Oil Change at the Mazda Dealer Oil or Check Engine Light Comes On If your oil light comes on, that's your car directly notifying you that you need to take care of the oil. The check engine light may illuminate for multiple reasons, but if you see it come on, checking the oil in your vehicle should be one of the first steps you take. Your Oil is Dark or Dirty Brand-new engine oil is amber, and clear enough for light to shine through it. Over time, dirt and debris accumulate in the oil, causing it to get thicker and darker. Checking your oil color and consistency regularly can tell you a lot about its condition. If it's dark and gritty, it's time for a change. More Engine Noise or Knocking Sounds Clean oil creates a protective barrier of lubrication between the parts of your engine, reducing friction as it works. If your oil is low or too old, you might start hearing more noise from your engine, or even a knocking sound, which is a bad sign meaning your engine is starting to wear down. Oil Smell Inside the Car If you're smelling oil inside your car, it could be a sign that you have a leak somewhere, allowing oil to burn off. It might also mean your engine is overheating due to old or insufficient oil. Smoke Is Coming From the Exhaust Transparent vapor from your exhaust is perfectly normal, especially in the cold. However, if you're noticing smoke instead, it's time to check your oil. It could be another sign that oil is burning somewhere inside your vehicle. Changing the oil in your car regularly is not just another task to check off your list. It's an important step you can take to preserve your vehicle's performance and help it to last much longer. Call Royal Moore Mazda to schedule your service today.